March 5, 2009 > Hawaii Free Press

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Thursday, March 5, 2009

March 5, 2009
By Andrew Walden @ 7:11 AM :: 11577 Views

Brainwashing First Graders-Kalaheo School continues to teach 'sustainable' practices (not including inventory management)

KALAHEO — Less than a week after Kalaheo first-graders were acquainted with organic home gardening at Kaua‘i Community College, the entire school got together to participate in another sustainable event last weekend. As part of Kalaheo School’s ongoing recycling effort, 30 palettes of expired beverages were donated on Saturday to help generate funds for various school programs and projects. “This time we went over the top....”

Cushnie said it seemed as though the students really enjoyed themselves and he hoped that it would “get their attention” as far as how important recycling is for the island.
Sullivan said it certainly got their attention as children cheered with delight to the sound of popping and hissing when the roller plowed over drinks, sending soda everywhere.

“We want to bring awareness about just how much waste there is and how much goes into the landfills, especially since the island is such a finite area,” she said. “The kids get to learn about sustainable practices such as recycling and even further than that, this is good for the school in these economic times in generating funds.”

34 Prior convictions: Shooter gets 6 to 30 years

A man was sentenced Wednesday to 30 years in prison for kidnapping a Kurtistown woman, binding her to a tree in a remote Ka'u forest, shooting her repeatedly and leaving her for dead. Under mandatory minimum sentencing guidelines, Bohol could be free in six years and eight months. Bohol has 34 prior convictions on both misdemeanor and felony charges, including kidnapping, assault, terroristic threatening, burglary, violating probation, abuse of a family member, violating a protective order and harassment.

Court rejects felon as Laborers Union leader

Some union members who opposed Kupau in the last election told Hawaii Reporter they are relieved that a felon convicted of money laundering won’t, at least for now, head their union. They also note the court’s ruling brings in to question the trustworthiness of the slate of candidates elected as a part of “Team Kupau” to the Laborers’ Local 368 board and the credibility of the union’s national branch that pushed for Kupau and backed his candidacy all the way to federal court.

“LIUNA utilized their full influence towards the outcome of the Laborers’ Local 368 election by selecting the heir apparent, Oliver Kupau III, for business manager knowing that he was a convicted felon,” one union member wrote recently to Hawaii Reporter.

GM taro researchers could face prosecution if Hawaii bill passes

Changing the basic structure of the sacred Hawaiian taro plant would become a crime under a compromise approved by a key legislative committee yesterday....No other state has banned genetic modification of any plant, but some areas of California have placed regional moratoriums on field tests of genetically modified rice. (The old Hawaiians were major plant breeders, creating 100s of varieties of taro. This bill reflects the Marxist cartoon version of Hawaiian culture. OHA is just upset because it isn't getting a cut of the action from Hawaii's ag. seed business.)

Final review panel gives West Maui hospital a go

All that remains (of bureaucratic approvals) is for SHPDA head to sign off on $45 million facility....(This hospital does not compete with MMMC, hence the difference.)

Teacher's alleged killer has long police record

According to records, he told a doctor at the Hawaii State Hospital in August, following his arrest for criminal trespassing at a Kahaluu convenience store, that the television talks to him and that he heard voices. Within two months of his evaluation, he also was observed having "hypersexual" behavior — flirting inappropriately with most of the female staff and patients in the ward at the state hospital. Records also stated Fauatea had several instances where "he had lost control and either struck or attempted to strike fellow patients."

RELATED: Advertiser coverage

Maui to honor its fallen sons

The Maui men being honored are:

— Sgt. 1st Class Kelly Bolor, 37, a Lahainaluna High School graduate, killed in a helicopter crash on Nov. 15, 2003.

— Spc. Jay Cajimat, 20, a Lahainaluna High graduate, died in a roadside bombing on April 6, 2007.

— Pvt. Eugene Kanakaole, 19, a Maui High School graduate, killed in a noncombat-related incident on June 11, 2008.

— Spc. Christopher Sweet, 28, a Maui High graduate, died from injuries in a noncombat-related incident on Feb. 6.

"These are the people who have had to give up their lives for the country, for us to be free," said Vietnam veteran Paul Laub, a program coordinator for the unveiling event.

RELATED: 1,000 Marines return from Iraq

Eye on Target: Opening crowds rush in (recession, what recession?)

"It's like having a baby and the baby's finally born," said Mark Attucs, Target's district assets protection manager.

At Salt Lake the first customer in line was Kristal Ka'auwai of Aliamanu, who arrived at 5:30 a.m. to shop for cleaning supplies, clothes and items for her mother. She was greeted by applauding Target employees, who stood in two rows as the first customers walked in.

At Kapolei the staff came up with their own cheer and greeted customers with high fives. The crowd there was thicker, wiping out about 500 shopping carts within a half-hour after opening, according to store team leader Jon Radtke.

Customers said they have been waiting a long time for Target to open in Hawaii.

Day late and dollar short? Hawaii Co Council approves projects to comply with stimulus terms

The council unanimously approved 10 bills on their first readings to appropriate money for various building projects that are part of Mayor Billy Kenoi's $487.1 million request in federal stimulus funds. Public Works Director Warren Lee told the council that communities wishing to receive federal money as part of President Barack Obama's $787 billion economic stimulus package signed into law Feb. 17 must have "shovel-ready" projects as close to construction as possible.

Fifty percent of the money would have to be allocated within 180 days of the bill's signing, and the remaining 50 percent 180 days later, County Managing Director Bill Takaba said after the meeting. "We need to get ready," Lee said. "What we're trying to do is position ourselves to be shovel-ready."

The appropriations approved by the council totaled $41.3 million. The largest amount was $21.5 million to install numerous Americans with Disabilities Act-compliant curb ramps in Waimea and Hilo. A $7 million appropriation would be used to install energy-saving photovoltaic systems in several county buildings, including the new West Hawaii Civic Center, David Yamamoto, with the Public Works' Building Division, said. Most of the other appropriations are for building new baseyard warehouses in South Kohala, Hamakua, Puna and South Hilo.

(Feel stimulated now?)

South Kona Councilwoman Brenda Ford asked why road projects part of Kenoi's request -- notably a project to extend Laaloa Avenue in Kona -- are not part of projects included with the bills presented Tuesday.